Beer: Reviews & Ratings

On tap at Bigtime Brewery in U district. Aroma was more sweet than hoppy. Maybe a bit of pine, but overall a pretty weak aroma. Appearance was very pretty. A couple centimeters of tan head. Pretty close to a stout actually. The head dissipates pretty quickly. Taste is where the hops come out. This is really balanced, smooth, and pleasant. The strongest taste I get from it is the pine, but it really meshes well together with the other flavors. Palate is ok. Smooth and refreshing. Overall I will take this over regular IPA’s any time. Nothing that you can’t fine elsewhere, but I’ll take this local brew while it lasts. It’s not a standard IPA, so if you are looking for a hop bomb, or even something with an above average hop presence, you won’t find it here. You will find a pretty good ale with a pretty unique flavor though. (841 characters)

Taste: Wow, much more here than the nose alludes to. Yes, you get the dark roasted malts up front, but unlike many Black IPAs, this one brings a great hop backbone that almost sneak attacks your palette. Hops bring a nice floral and pine balance to the malt bill that borders on chocolate.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: Somewhat chewy from the malt, yet it is clean and light bodied. Kind of filling, but easy to drink.

Overall: Most Black IPAs that I've tried pick the malty route (Back in Black) or hoppy (Stone Sub. Self-Right.), but this one manages to have both. I like this one and wish it was around more often. (779 characters)

Had this on-tap at the Big Time. They call this a "Black IPA" and, though to me it was more like a hoppy porter, I have put this under American IPA as it is their designation.

Appearance: solid black with the tiniest layer of tan foam; really, little more than the suggestion that the beer once had head. Despite this, the color indicates that this beer clearly means business.